Category Archives: Local News
Salem man injured in single-vehicle crash on Townhouse Road
An 18-year-old Salem man was injured in a single-vehicle crash late Sunday afternoon. Marion County Sheriff's Deputies say Jake Rollins of North Hotze Road was a passenger in a car driven by a 17-year...
Apr 08, 2024
Heavy rains result in several crashes
The Marion County Sheriff's Department reports several wrecks blamed on the heavy rains Sunday night. Two people refused medical treatment when their car hit standing water on Route 37 North of Salem ...
Apr 08, 2024
'Totality' takes place across large part of South Central Illinois
The total solar eclipse was plainly visible as it crossed South Central Illinois Monday afternoon. Some residents from other parts of Illinois as well as other states joined local residents for the ra...
Apr 08, 2024 Total eclipse over the Bell Tower in Centralia. Photo by Pat Hodges.
Two young girls may have averted large downtown fire (updated 12:30 pm)
Salem Assistant Fire Chief Bill Fulton says two observant girls may have prevented a large downtown fire Sunday night as they spotted a fire burning out one of the back doors of Steve's Antiques at 12...
Apr 08, 2024 Area fire departments wait as a search is underway to determine if a fire had spread from an elevator shaft at Steve's Antiques in Salem Sunday night. Photo by Bruce Kropp.
Wabash Communications receives $23.1-million grant to expand broadband service in area
Wabash Communications Co-Operative has announced it has been awarded a $23,197,592 grant through the Connect Illinois Program to expand broadband access in underserved rural areas. The investment will...
Apr 08, 2024
Area officials ready for influx of visitors Monday for totality
A large number of visitors are anticipated for the full solar eclipse across much of the area early Monday afternoon. Salem is one of three hubs set up by the Illinois Emergency Management Agency and ...
Apr 08, 2024 Emergency vehicles set up outside IEMA warehouse in Salem's westside industrial park. Photo by Bruce Kropp.
Toronto, Canada astronomer in Centralia for eclipse explains what will be happening
There is an astronomer who will be watching the eclipse from the Centralia Regional Library Monday afternoon. Mubbi Rahman of Toronto, Canada has relatives in Greenville. He notes the sun and moon are...
Apr 08, 2024 Mubbi Rahman (Photo from sidratresearch.com)
IDOT officials say treat Monday like a snow day when you travel
A spokesperson for the Illinois Department of Transportation expects heavy traffic conditions Monday for those coming to the area to see the total eclipse. Paul Wappel says if you are driving Monday t...
Apr 08, 2024
Fire at Steve's Antiques confined to elevator shaft (Updated 6 am)
A large number of fire departments were called for what Salem Firemen feared was going to be a large downtown fire at Steve's Antiues at Main and Washington Street. Assistant Fire Chief Bill Fulton sa...
Apr 07, 2024 Firefighters inside the rear of Steve Antique's trying to find source of light smoke coming from building. Photo by Bruce Kropp.
Marion County Sheriff warns about trespassing during solar eclipse
As South Central Illinois braces for a large influx of people to view the full solar eclipse Monday afternoon, Marion County Sheriff Kevin Cripps is warning that trespassing on private property is aga...
Apr 07, 2024 Raymond Larabie / CC
